Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 to 521, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it is not possible to provide the data sought in the specific format requested by the Deputy as, for recording purposes, possession of drugs are coded on the basis of offences rather than on possession of individual drug types.

The Courts Service has also informed me that all prosecutions for possession of drugs, whether for personal use or for sale or supply, commence in the District Court. The report below provides details of all drug possession offences listed for courts located in County Waterford (District Courts in Waterford City, Dungarvan and Lismore) for the years 2008 to 2016 and from January to November 2017. The data for December 2017 is not yet available.

Report on the number of offences listed for court for Possession for Sale and Unlawful Possession from 2008 to 30 November 2017 in County Waterford.